Defensive and offensive projector composition



Patented Oct. 4, 1927.

JOHN A. PREN'TICE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE PROJECTOR COMPOSITION. I I

No Drawing.

My invention relates to compositions of matter adapted for either defensive or ofi'ensive projection.

Though applicable for use in a variety of projection, comprising a component having a screening function or effect; which may conveniently be termed a smoke producing element; a componet having a deterrent effect or function, which I shall term herein, as indicative of the nature of the deterring influence, an irritant element; and an odorous component which from its function of providing means for subsequent detection of those exposed to the projection of the composition, I may herein term a tracer element. I

These components maybe intersoluble, but, in case they are not, a fourth component is added, namely a solvent common to all.

The components or constituents of the composition are therefore substances of different effects, in solution emulsion or solid suspension, in each other or in a neutral solvent common to all.

For instance, if a combination be desired comprising a disabling, deterrent, or repelling gas, a smoke gas, and a tracer as, one of the components may be a solid, so uble in one of the other or liquid components. If so, the combination may be made without a further solvent. The solvent here, then, is an active solvent, that is, a solvent having oneof the desired eifects. Or, if one of the components is in the gaseous phase, a liquid component of difierent effect may be found to dissolve it. This liquid component would then also be an active solvent. If, however, the components are all gaseous in phase, or if liquid and solid, they may be insoluble or diflicultly soluble in each other. In such case a solvent is used in which all the components are soluble or which increases the solubility of the components in it and each other. Such a solvent is a neutral solvent common to all.

The deterrent effect of the irritant component is merely to Repel or disable temporarily, as for instance, to produce intense irritation and excitation of the eyes, nasal Application filed April 14, 1926. Serial No. 101,876.

passages, throat and stomach, lachrymation, sternutation, vomitus, pertussis and other extreme transitory sensations of discomfort. Such gas will have great psychological effect, and will cause the attacker to considerremoving himself from the scene for physical attention and relief as the principal necessity of the moment, and so stop the course of the attack. As one object of the defense is to minimize the possibility of inflicting harm upon innocent parties, those accidentally in contact with the gas will suifer only temporary discomfort for which adequate relief may be supplied by users of this method of defense.

The odorous or tracer component is desirable from the following standpoint.

In case of felonious attacks it becomes a duty of the police to trace and apprehend the attacking parties. Ordinarily, this is difiicult, due to their escape and blending with the crowd. If said parties have seen in contact with a gas containing a component which has an unusual, distinguishing, and persistent odor, such odor will identify them and aid in their detection and apprehension. The smoke producing component will act as a screen to protect the users of the defensive composition and their property, to confuse 8 the attackers, to prevent the possibility of attackers shooting from beyond the gassed area, and to serve as an alarm by the unusual phenomenon of a smoke cloud, visible for a considerable distance.

The composition will produce the desired to practice the invention I shall now state a variety of substances which-may be used in forming a composition having the desired effect, and shall point out the specific components I prefer in the composition.

The smoke producing component, may be I genated organic compound; or it may be a halogenated derivative of an organic cyanide or arsenious acid derivative, or any substance which possesses the desired properties. For this component I prefer xylyl bromide.

The odorous or tracer componentmay be butyl mercaptan or any isonitrile, thiocyanate, mercaptan, sulphide, selenide or nitrogen derivative, havmg a persistent, distinctive and repulsive odor.

The preferred substance is, however, phenylcarbamine. Whenit is necessary to use a solvent common to all, I use by preference carbon tetrachloride.

I claim 1. A composition of matter, adapted for defensive and ofiensive projection in the protection of property, comprising a smoke producing component, an irritant component and a distinctively and persistently odorous component.

2. A composition of matter for defensive and offensive projection in the protection of property, comprising a smoke producing component, an irritant component, a distinctively and persistently odorous component, and a solvent common to all said components,

3. A composition of matter for defensive and offensive projection in the protection of property, comprising a smoke producing component, an irritant component, a distinctively and persistently odorous component, and carbon tetrachloride as a solvent of said components.

4. A,composition of matter, adapted for defensive and offensive projection in the protection of property, comprising stannic chloride, xylyl bromide, and phenylcarbamine. I

5. A composition of matter for defensive and offensive projection in the protection of property, comprising stannic chloride, xylyl bromide, phenylcarbamine, and carbon tetrachloride.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN A. PRENTICE. 

